PRESENT CONTINUOUS

The present continuous tense is formed from the present tense of the verb be and the present participle (-ing form) of a verb:

Use 1. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the present:  for something that is happening at the moment of speaking: I’m just leaving work. I’ll be home in an hour. Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.  for something which is happening before and after a given time: At eight o’clock we are usually having breakfast. When I get home the children are doing their homework.

 for something which we think is temporary:  Michael is at university. He’s studying history. I’m working in London for the next two weeks.  for something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:  These days most people are using instead of writing letters. What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays? What sort of music are they listening to?

 to show that something is changing, growing or developing:  The children are growing quickly. The climate is changing rapidly. Your English is improving.  for something which happens again and again:  It’s always raining in London. They are always arguing. George is great. He’s always laughing.  Note: We normally use always with this use.

2. We use the present continuous tense to talk about the future:  for something which has been arranged or planned:  Mary is going to a new school next term. What are you doing next week?

3. We can use the present continuous to talk about the past:  When we are telling a story:  When we are summarizing the story from a book, film or play etc.:

EXERCISES

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → _________ 2. prepare → _________ 3. lie → _________ 4. win → _________ 5. dial → _________

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → crying 2. prepare → _________ 3. lie → _________ 4. win → _________ 5. dial → _________

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → crying 2. prepare → preparing 3. lie → _________ 4. win → _________ 5. dial → _________

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → crying 2. prepare → preparing 3. lie → lying 4. win → _________ 5. dial → _________

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → crying 2. prepare → preparing 3. lie → lying 4. win → winning 5. dial → _________

Write the ing-form of the following verbs. 1. cry → crying 2. prepare → preparing 3. lie → lying 4. win → winning 5. dial → dialling

Bibliography  grammar/verbs/present-tense/present-continuous grammar/verbs/present-tense/present-continuous  up/grammar/present-perfect-progressive up/grammar/present-perfect-progressive  perfect-progressive-2 perfect-progressive-2